Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
CD Projekt Red said that Cyberpunk 2077’s multiplayer monetisation approach will offer “value for money”, though it’s too early to say what form this will take (via PlayStation LifeStyle).
CEO Adam KiciÅ„ski fielded the question during its Q3 2019 earnings call with investors. “As far as the monetization of multiplayer for Cyberpunk is concerned, we believe right now it’s definitely too early to share any details on that or give guidance; the project is in a relatively early stage,” he said. Multiplayer is one of the three Cyberpunk 2077 projects that are being worked on at CD Projekt Red. The single-player experience is the top priority, and multiplayer will come after the game has been released and accompanied by its DLC.
Cyberpunk 2077 is said to follow in the footsteps of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: a “huge story-driven role-playing game” with no microtransactions for that aspect of the experience. “We keep experimenting—that’s our first multiplayer game. We check various options and possibilities, and it’s definitely not the time to point you to a specific direction on that,” KiciÅ„ski clarified. “Of course you can expect that we won’t change our general policy towards ‘deals with gamers’ so I expect wise monetization and—always—value for money.”
John Mamais, CD Projekt Red studio head, expressed his distaste for microtransactions in an interview at PAX Australia last month. “I think it’s a bad idea to do microtransactions after you release a game. It seems like it’s very profitable, though,” said Mamais. “It’s probably a hard decision for the guy that runs the business to decide if we should do it or not. But if everyone hates it, why would we do something like that and lose the goodwill of our customers?”
This appears to be contradictory to KiciÅ„ski’s comments. However, the developer had said that microtransactions would not be included in the single-player side of Cyberpunk 2077. Multiplayer monetisation was still possible, and if CD Projekt Red wishes to support the online servers and content in the long run, it’ll need a steady stream of cash. It would be assumed that the microtransactions would be for cosmetic items that change the gizmos and gadgets of the player character, and wouldn’t offer any in-game bonuses for shelling out.
Cyberpunk 2077 launches April 16, 2020 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
